A/HRC/31/63 persons with albinism or facilitating access to health, for example, would benefit from a coordinated exchange at both national and international levels. In addition, certain States in a region share similar challenges and obstacles with regard to attacks against persons with albinism, for example, and although efforts have been made and steps taken in the countries most affected, there has been little international cooperation and discussion to share experiences, both positive and negative, in addressing attacks against persons with albinism. The Independent Expert will therefore endeavour to provide platforms to coordinate efforts in order to efficiently and sustainably address challenges in that area. 10. A crucial element of the Independent Expert’s mandate in the coming year will be assessing the current situation of persons with albinism and identifying best practices through country visits. During her mandate, the Independent Expert would like to undertake country visits in areas most affected by human rights violations of persons with albinism, namely sub-Saharan Africa. She hopes that all Governments will welcome such visits and envisages that the outcome of country visits, including the best practices gathered, would not only feed into thematic studies, but also practically inform her compilation of best practices. 11. The Independent Expert will focus on enhancing the visibility of the mandate and on strengthening its cooperation with civil society organizations. III. Background information on albinism 12. Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition that affects people worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender. It results from a significant deficit in the production of melanin and is characterized by the partial or complete absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. In order for a person to be affected by albinism, both parents must carry the gene and, in that case, there is a 25 per cent chance that a child will be born with albinism at each pregnancy. The proportion of persons affected by albinism in the world differs from region to region. For example, in North America and Europe, it is estimated that 1 in 17,000 to 20,000 people are affected by the condition,1 while in sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 5,000 to 15,000 could be affected, with specific countries having a much higher tendency, including estimated rates of 1 in 1,400,2 and about 1 in 20 persons in the general population carrying the gene for albinism. Other studies suggest that in specific groups in Panama or in the Pacific region, the rate of people affected could be as high as 1 in 70 to 1 in 125. 13. There are different types of albinism. The most common and visible type is oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), which affects the skin, the hair and the eyes. Within this type, there are subtypes, which reflect varying degrees of melanin pigment deficiency in an individual. The main subtypes of OCA are tyrosinase negative albinism (OCA1) and tyrosinase positive albinism (OCA2). In OCA1, there is little or no production of melanin and it is often characterized by white hair and opaque or transparent irises. In the more prevalent, particularly in African countries, OCA2, some melanin is produced and it is characterized by yellow-blonde or sandy-coloured hair and grey to light brown irises. A less common form of albinism is ocular albinism which affects the eyes alone, while albinism 1 2 National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, “What is Albinism?” Information bulletin, available at www.albinism.org/site/c.flKYIdOUIhJ4H/b.9253761/k.24EE/ Information_Bulletin__What_is_Albinism.htm; see also A/HRC/24/57, para. 14. In 2005, World Health Organization (WHO) carried out a pilot survey on albinism in African countries, results were published in 2006; see also A/HRC/24/57, para. 14. 5